What Can I Give Mama?

Mother's Day is traditionally a time when we express our gratitude to our mothers for all that she has done and all that she has endured in rearing us. No doubt, expectations concerning gifts vary widely from mom to mom. Hopefully none will be forgotten and all will be made to feel special. For some moms the greatest gift will simply be to be remembered with a phone call or a visit. Mothers are like that.

Of course I will try to do something special for my mom, or as we say in the South, "Mama." I plan to take her shopping and maybe to dinner, yet I know that these things are not her greatest desire. I believe, that like many other mamas, her greatest desire is just to see her children happy and productive in life.

My mother is special to me for many reasons. Perhaps the most memorable reason is because over the years I have seen her make many sacrifices for me. From my childhood when she would sit up with me in the night when I was sick, to the times when she took the time to sit and talk with me about my day, she was there then, and countless times more.

She was also there for my brother and sisters and for my father. She was solid whether she felt like it or not. Over the years, I watched her take into her home and care for my terminally ill uncle before he died, my aunt before she died, my grandmother before she died, and she was faithful to care for my father until the day he died.

I have seen her endure the grief of a brother who was murdered and the death of a son who committed suicide. I have seen days when she had no money to buy groceries and no insurance to pay for a doctor's visit. She has been taken advantage of and taken for granted. She has had many heartaches - more than a mama should have to endure. But I have never known her to be a complainer. Just the opposite, she was a philosopher of sorts reminding us that, "The Lord won't put more on you than you can endure." And I can't forget her word of encouragement - that actually came from Shakespeare - don't you worry, "Every dog will have his day."

I will buy her something nice this Mother's Day, but what I wish I could give her most is immunity from any more pain. Of course, I cannot. Only God can do that. He has that planned you know. It's a gift for all mamas and for all who will receive it through Jesus Christ.

Picture in your mind if you can what John tried to reveal to us when he wrote, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heart a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:1-5 NIV

I could buy Mama many things and give her hours of my time, and I will, but I think the best thing I can do for Mama this year is to live my life in a way that does not cause her any pain or heartache. I want to make her load lighter. She has earned it and, by God's help and grace, I plan to do it.